Grace Notes
Second Sunday after Christmas
January 5, 2025

O God, who didst wonderfully create, and yet more wonderfully restore, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, thy Son Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

THIS WEEK'S WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Sunday
10 AM The Holy Eucharist (bulletin)

Sunday - Eve of the Epiphany
5 PM     Evening Prayer (online)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8451295802
Meeting ID: 845 129 5802

Wednesday
9 AM The Holy Eucharist  

The flowers on the altar this Sunday have been given to the greater glory of God 
in memory of Daren K. Toppin and Daryl L. Toppin.

ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS SEASON . . . The Christmas story is one filled with wonders—angels, a virgin giving birth, shepherds, kings, and God himself coming among us in the form of a helpless baby. As amazing as this wonderful story is, what the Church celebrates this day and this season is God the Son becoming incarnate —sharing our human flesh, our human nature—in order that we might come to share in his divine life. The Christmas Season lasts twelve days and Christians are encouraged to make these days a time of celebration and joy. 

OUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR . . . . the sick and those in need, especially The Rev. James Warnke, priest, Thomas Petrullo, Daniela Parisi, Michael Shumway, Greg Hutchinson, Catherine Gooch, Larry Toppin, Diane Tekirian, Howard Goldin, Chris Spilker, Lexi Manning, Gina DeMarsico, Christian Davis, Shawn Davis, Suzanne Morris, Lauren Rosenthal, Nancy Mohr, Charlotte Wilson, Rich Landi, John Whitlock, and Gaylord Hitchcock, priest.

For the those celebrating birthdays especially Maureen Wandell (1/5), Iyiolu Okunlola (1/6), Bonnie Fitzpatrick (1/9), John Beck (1/11), and Lily Valentine (1/11) and those celebrating anniversaries especially Richard & Patricia Landi (12/30). 

 
For those who have died especially Daren K. Toppin, Daryl L. Toppin, Doris Rudden (12/27), Margaret Rennard (1/5), Dudley Tremble (1/6), Janet Hirniak (1/7), Paul Mayland (1/7), Helen Devecka (1/10), and Bernard Newman, priest (1/11).

PRAYER LIST REQUESTS . . . To add any names to the parish prayer list, please send an email to kmaccourt@gmail.com with the name of the person to be prayed for, your name and a brief description of the person’s health or other situation (note if long-term or chronic).  Names are listed for four weeks and then rotate off, but they can be added again as needed.  If you have questions, please speak with the wardens or Father Anthony.

Thank you to our volunteers for this Sunday

Warren Hirstius, acolyte
Akin Okunlola, usher
Barbara Tait, reader
Trish Landi and Ingrid Davis, altar guild
Lorie and John Menniti, coffee hour

January 12 -  The Baptism of Our Lord
10 AM Liturgy of the Word with Holy Communion from the Reserved Sacrament and Sunday School  

January 19
10 AM The Holy Eucharist 

January 26
10 AM The Holy Eucharist

CONTACT INFORMATION . . .

The Rev. Father Anthony Puca, Jr.
Rector
gecrector@gmail.com
201-664-0407

Kathryn MacCourt
Parish administrator, Organist and Choirmaster
kmaccourt@gmail.com
201-417-1653
 
The Reverend Deacon Len Roberts
leonard_roberts@rocketmail.com
973-901-8822
 
Grace Church Wardens
Akinola Okunlola - aokunlola@gmail.com, 201-926-3677
Larry Sunden - larry@sunden.com, 201-960-1433

PLEDGING . . . We have the capability of making a donation online thanks to a deal negotiated by the diocese with Vanco! Click on the link: WebPay Link.

Please be sure to visit and like our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/gracewestwood.org/

You can help Grace attract new members by simply sharing our posts on your own page. Please help us grow and share a post.

Pastoral Emergencies
Deacon Leonard Roberts - 973-901-8822
Larry Sunden, warden - 201-960-1433
Akin Okunlola, warden - 201-926-3677

FROM THE BISHOP . . .  This season, be gentle with your words. Bishop Hughes reminds us that at this moment, when so much of what we're hearing in the world is harsh and hard-hearted, the way we speak to others and the way we speak to ourselves can be an incredible gift.

YouTube video

Video transcript

INFORMATION FROM THE DIOCESE OF NEWARK . . . To subscribe and receive The VOICE Online by email please go to https://dioceseofnewark.org/subscribe

At the very top of the page, you’ll see a box to type in your email address.  Click on the “Sign me up” button and you will be taken to a page where you can subscribe to receive The VOICE Online as well as other e-newsletters.

RESOURCES FROM THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH…..For news and official statements from the national church, a few key websites are listed below.

The most up-to-date news in the Episcopal Church http://episcopaldigitalnetwork.com/ens/

News and official statements from the Episcopal Church concerning political and public policy issues   http://advocacy.episcopalchurch.org

Grace Episcopal Church
9 Harrington Avenue, Five Corners
Westwood, NJ 07675
201 664-0407
www.gracewestwood.org
“Called to re-member and share God’s love and grace”

Contacts
The Rev. Father Anthony Puca, Jr., Rector 201-664-0407 (gecrector@gmail.com)
Mrs. Kathryn MacCourt, Parish Administrator, Organist & Choirmaster 201-417-1653 (kmaccourt@gmail.com)
Mr. Akinola Okunlola, Warden 201-926-3577 (aokunlola@gmail.com)
Mr. Larry Sunden, Warden 201-960-1433 (larry@sunden.com)